While the sport of football is itself great, it’s the stories of the men who play the game that intensify our connection to the game.

“Before the Beginning with Chris Polk” is a 20-minute film from Athlete Interactive that chronicles the University of Washington running back’s preparation for the Combine, both physically and emotionally.

Another short film should be made about Polk’s post-Combine experience getting the NFL. One of the best running backs in the country fell out of the draft entirely due to what he says are largely unfounded rumors about his health. Polk didn’t miss a game in three years, so the slide and speculation will certainly go down as one of the strangest occurrences of the 2012 draft.

Thankfully for Polk, though, he was snapped up quickly by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie free agent. In an interview with CSNPhilly’s Reuben Frank, Polk talked about the experience of going undrafted. “It was shocking.It was humbling.”

Disappointment is a part of life, and it certainly plays a role in sports. But Polk has been able to put the painful experience in perspective and knows that, drafted or undrafted, he is on a level playing field with the rest of the Eagles rookies. He has to prove himself.

“I got all my emotions out after the first day. After I got the call from the Eagles, that all went away. I’ll never forget it. I’ll never forget what happened. But I’m at peace with it.

“Whatever happens, you still have to make the most out of your opportunity, and that doesn’t change if you’re a first-round pick or an undrafted free agent. So that’s how I’m looking at it now.”

It’s a shame that this kid was not drafted due his medical history. He has not missed a game in 3 years and put up big numbers (4000 plus rushing yards in 3 seasons). I’m glad that the Eagles signed him as an un-drafted free agent. He is the change of pace back that they needed and will be the biggest success story this year. Many teams will regret missing out on this kid. GO EAGLES!!

I completely agree, Bryan. Him falling out of the draft because of medical history but him not missing a game in 3 years just doesn’t make sense. But, it’s to the Eagles’ benefit. I really think we’re going to see big things out of this kid.